Home to the most interesting jewelry in + around the Upstate
Launched by a duo of award winning designers and makers, MAKE MADE is an artisan-driven boutique, studio and website offering exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces and distindistinctive limited edition designs. MAKE MADE is dedicated to exhibiting the best, most adventadventurous jewelry we can find, supporting independent jewelry artists and sustsustainable practices, and curating an unrivaled collection of exceptionally crafted pieces. In addition to offering an unparalleled variety of fantastic finished jewelry and custom design process, MAKE MADE hosts a range of exciting metalworking courses for students at all levels - from first timers to the jewelry-making obsessed.
Katie Poterala
Katie is a Greenville native with a streak for adventure and love for the natural world, both things that influence her designs.
Jewelry was an object of fascination, even at a young age, although it took over twenty years for Katie to realize an intent to create something wearable. She found this point during graduate studies at Arizona State University, where she completed a Masters in Metalsmithing in 2012. Since then, Katie has maintained a busy studio practice alongside teaching roles and time spent as a bench jeweler.
Katie's inspiration...
Katie's signature designs combine the opulence of faceted stones and precious metals with provocative surfaces and textures that mimic the spontaneity found in natural growth and oxidation processes. Her pieces reinterpret those objects that are observed but are not lasting, often reminding the wearer of places and times in their own personal experience and travels.
Danielle Miller-Gilliam
Danielle grew up in a steel mill town in the Laurel Highlands of the Pennsylvania Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by rolling hills juxtaposed by bridges, railroads and industry. This greatly affected her design sensibility, and is reflected in her work through geometric forms alongside stylized natural influences.
Danielle became entranced by jewelry while studying sculpture in college. In 1993, she received a bachelor's degree in Fine Art from Tyler School of Art/Temple University. Since then, Danielle has spent almost 30 years mastering her skills, maintaining a vibrant production studio jewelry business (Danielle Miller Jewelry), and launching her popular Make Your Own Wedding Band Rings workshops.
Danielle's Inspiration...
Danielle's newest body of work is inspired by her garden, as well as, geology and topographic maps. She creates peaks, valleys and fissures hand forged in sterling & gold with bold gem accents. Leaves, petals and vines made in sterling and gold are stripped down to their basic geometric forms and combined with pearls and diamonds. The resulting modern designs are both feminine and dramatic but still playful.
